Groan’d inly, sore aggrieved: but soon devised

A stratagem of mischief and of fraud.

Sudden creating for herself a kind

Of whiter iron, she with labour framed

A scythe enormous: and address’d her sons:

She spoke emboldening words, though grieved at heart.

“My sons! alas! ye children of a sire

Most impious, now obey a mother’s voice:

So shall we well avenge the fell despite

Of him your father, who the first devised